I'm ready to play again - Henson

Gavin Henson says he is injury free and could play for Wales

Gavin Henson says that he is free from injury and keen to answer any emergency calls from the Wales World Cup squad.

Henson was last week omitted from the national side's training squad, with fitness coach Mark Bennett claiming the Ospreys man was unfit.

But Henson told BBC Sport Wales that he is ready to play and only weeks short of full fitness.

"I've got no injuries and I could play now, it is just my lungs couldn't take a full 80 minutes," said Henson.

Interview: Wales' Gavin Henson

If the call came from the Wales camp of course I would make myself available Gavin Henson

"I'm probably a bit short fitness wise, so I'm doing a few fitness sessions with Huw Bevan at the Ospreys and after that I'm sure I'll be ready."

Henson was said to be "heartbroken" on missing out on the 2007 World Cup, having also missed Wales' 2003 campaign in Australia.

But he says that - despite the disappointment - he would be ready and willing to answer a late Wales call and says he is on stand-by should they need him.

"I'm a bit behind the rest of the backs which is disappointing from a personal point of view, but if the call came from the Wales camp of course I would make myself available," said Henson.

"I missed out on the last World Cup, which is a huge disappointment and I've missed out on this one which is again a huge disappointment so hopefully I'm on stand-by, of course I'd be available."

Whether Henson goes to the World Cup or not, the mercurial Ospreys back is looking forward to the new season, having missed most of the previous campaign through injury.

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He said: "We have a star-studded squad, so I just have to try and win my place in the team.

"My goal for the season is to be a regular part of that side and if I am then I would have been doing something right.

"With the squad we have, winning the Heineken Cup is possible and that will be our biggest goal next season.

"We've learnt from our mistakes of last season and a lot of the younger players have more experience."